Innovative rice straw composting technology earns accolades at Can Tho City Technical Innovation Competition

The collaborative effort between the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) Mechanization Team and the Can Tho Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection was awarded second prize in the agriculture category of the 12th Can Tho City Technical Innovation Competition 2022-2023. The awarding ceremony was held in Can Tho City, Vietnam on December 15, 2023.

The winning mechanized rice straw-based composting technology, which converts agricultural residue and waste to organic fertilizer, has been successfully piloted in Mekong Delta in Vietnam. This innovative approach integrates machine mixing, composting techniques, and biochemical optimization to enhance the composting process and improve the quality of organic fertilizers.

The overarching goal of the competition is to foster a creativity across diverse sectors, emphasizing youth participation, talent exploration, and the application of technical solutions to benefit production and societal advancements. This effort is geared toward contributing to the socioeconomic development and industrialization of Can Tho City.

Notably, the contest attracted 108 entries across six categories, spanning from information technology and electronics to agriculture, fisheries, natural resources, and the environment. Additionally, the organizing committee selected 15 solutions to advance to the national competition, which includes the mechanized rice straw-based composting technology.

The mechanized rice straw-based composting technology is part of the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund-supported Rice Straw-based Circular Economy (RiceEco) and the CGIAR Initiative on Asian Mega-Deltas.